SOME changes to visitor restrictions, described as small and safe, come into effect at St Mary's Hospital today (Monday).

Patients on certain wards that have been in hospital for more than seven days will now be permitted one designated visitor for a pre-booked hour each day, between 10am and 8pm.

The wards that can welcome visitors are Compton, Luccombe, St Helens and the Stroke Unit.

The changes come after a question was put to the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, asking when visitors would be allowed back in to St Mary's Hospital to see their loved ones, following a rise in complaints.

Measures were put in place at the Newport hospital before the first lockdown was enforced in March last year.

Read more: Covid visitor restrictions at Isle of Wight hospital questioned

Juliet Pearce, director of nursing, said: "Keeping our patients safe is our top priority, and our visiting restrictions have been important in ensuring those receiving hospital treatment are not put at risk.

“After careful consideration, for our less vulnerable patients who have been in our care for more than a week, we know seeing a loved one will be a boost that could support their recovery.

"Our visitor policy is under regular review and we look forward to welcoming more visitors as the NHS continues to deliver its biggest ever vaccination programme."

For full details on the visitor policy, and information on how to book seeing a loved one, visit www.iow.nhs.uk/visiting